Showering Praise

Through hip-hop and dance, Riders Against the Storm is ready to reign

By Sarah Thurmond

Published: May 2, 2014

Photo by Cory Rivademar

Austin isn’t known for its big urban music scene. But that may soon change thanks to Riders Against the Storm. The hip-hop/dance group is on track to becoming the city’s next big breakout act after being named Band of the Year at the Austin Music Awards in March. As the first hip-hop group to win the title in the awards’ 32-year history, RAS is connecting with fans through well-crafted funky tracks that mix a range of influences from Marvin Gaye to Nirvana to comedian Reggie Watts. But it’s the band’s upbeat message that really makes it stand out from the pack.

Founded by husband-wife duo Chaka and Qi (previously known as Tiger Lily), RAS moved to Austin from Rhode Island at the end of 2009. (Qi says it was “divine intervention” that led them here; Chaka says it was also because “the doors weren’t opening fast enough” on the East Coast.) The former community organizers started doing shows at community centers, and pretty soon, more and more fans started showing up. “There’s been a push behind it because the community wanted our music to succeed. They want to see this kind of thing happening, this kind of energy and fresh perspective,” Qi says.

To keep their upbeat tempos and even more upbeat message out there, the group plans to release a new single, “Booty Sweat,” on vinyl this month. And they continue to host their Body Rock party on the first Friday of the month at Sahara. But this is only the beginning. “We have much bigger goals,” Chaka says. “People need music that fills them up and rejuvenates them, without a narcissistic attitude that a lot of artists have. Now is the time to have this.”